Christine "Chris" A. Layne

Christine “Chris” A. Layne, devoted and loving wife of Richard K. Layne, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, July 4, 2025. She was surrounded by loved ones as she passed peacefully from this world at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Chris was born in Winchester, Massachusetts on February 26,1960 to her loving parents, Gertrude Surette and the late Irving Surette. Chris is survived by her two children, Jillian P. Layne of Merrimack, New Hampshire and Richard K. Layne, Jr. of Candia, New Hampshire, along with his wife, Kimberly Layne, and their two beautiful children, Isabella Layne and Penelope Layne. Christine is survived by her older sibling, Peter Surette and his wife, Susan Surette, of Pelham, New Hampshire and her younger sibling, Lisa Hyslip, and her husband, Craig Hyslip, of Gloucester, Massachusetts and Marco Island, Florida. Christine is survived by her sister-in-law, Cheryl Accardi, and her husband, Anthony Accardi, of Wells, Maine. Chris was predeceased by her niece, Nicole Surette Ashley (Brandon) and is survived by her nieces, Kaitlyn Hyslip Barry (Andrew), Abbigail Hyslip Denton (Carter) and Samantha Hyslip de Graaf (Owen) as well as several great nieces and great nephews, whom she loved dearly.

Chris grew up in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and, in 1978, Christine graduated from Saint Joseph's Catholic High School in Lowell, Massachusetts. Following her graduation, Christine met the love of her life, Richard “Rick” K. Layne. They were married on May 29,1981 and enjoyed 44 wonderful years of marriage. Together, Christine and Richard eventually went on to raise their two children in Pepperell, Massachusetts. As their children grew and left their childhood home, Chris and Rick were blessed to enjoy several more years sharing their home with Chris’s parents when her parents were not in their winter home in Bradenton, Florida. The couple shared so many beautiful memories full of laughter, joy and special moments with their family and friends in Pepperell.

During their marriage, Chris worked for American Express for 15 years, ultimately rising to the position of Manager for American Express Travel in the Boston area. She left this position in 2011 when her brother-in-law, Craig Hyslip, recruited her to run the Corporate Customer Service division for his national family-owned business, Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, Inc., in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. She worked at Griffin until her retirement in 2023.

Chris was loved by all who had the privilege to call her a friend. She had a keen sense of humor that was contagious whenever she was with her friends or family. Like her father, she had a natural talent for telling stories. Her intellect and memory were something to be admired. Christine had a patient, caring way about her that came naturally to her. Christine’s passion for life, and her charismatic, magnetic personality, filled any room she was in. She will surely be missed, as her passing leaves a deep hole in the hearts of all who loved her dearly.

Christine’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace worshiping at St. Joseph Church, 28 Tarbell St., Pepperell, MA on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends and family please donate to Beth Israel’s Cancer Research Institute fund. Raising awareness around cancer research is the best way we can honor Christine’s life, with the goal of saving future patients for years to come. Thank you in advance for your contributions.

https://giving.bilh.org/bethisraeldeaconessmedicalcenter/memorials-and-tributes/